‘Not quite up to it’ – some fans criticise Wolves defender after 3-2 defeat

Max Kilman came in for criticism from supporters after Wolverhampton Wanderers lost 3-2 to Espanyol but won 6-3 on aggregate on Thursday. The 22-year-old made defensive errors that led to goals on the night and didn’t vindicate Nuno Espirito Santo’s decision to start him.

Espanyol’s first goal of the game came in the 16^th minute after Jonathan Calleri beat Max Kilman to Adrià Pedrosa’s cross. Their second goal came in the 57^th minute after Calleri converted a penalty following Kilman’s foul on David Lopez. Their third goal came in the 91^st minute and saw Kilman and others caught out by a quickly-taken free-kick.

https://twitter.com/SamW160/status/1233093072180912130?s=20

https://twitter.com/adamBriant1993/status/1233120166411751425?s=20

I know he's still developing and learning but Kilman is having a mare tonight. Hopefully this experience will help #wwfc

— Adey (@PaulaAdey) February 27, 2020

https://twitter.com/ItsRobbieAyit/status/1233108061927157771?s=20

https://twitter.com/SamW160/status/1233107195828543489?s=20

Against Espanyol, the 22-year-old played for 90 minutes, had 46 touches, won two aerial duels, completed 72% of his 25 passes, whipped in one cross, picked up a booking, found a teammate with only one of his seven long balls, made two tackles, gave away two fouls, made four interceptions, had one successful dribble, drew one foul and made three clearances.

Kilman has made 13 appearances in all competitions this season, but he’s hampered his chances of making a 14^th after Thursday’s showing.

Read Crippy Cooke’s previous article